Den store folkevandring gennem Sahara mod Europa

Time: Tuesday 30 November at 14 – 16 hours

Venue: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Kbn K

Background

Time: Tuesday 30 November at 14 – 16 hours

Venue: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Kbn K

Background

In recent years, the images of young Africans in ramshackle boats on the Spanish or Italian shores have reached the European public. However, the crossing of the sea is the second leg of a longer and even more perilous journey where estimated 120.000 sub-Saharan Africans cross the Sahara each year to reach the Maghreb countries and – maybe – venture towards Europe.

While African transit migration has been the object of considerable journalistic interest, there is only limited research on this aspect of the journey, as most studies have focused on the situation of irregular migrants in sending and receiving contexts.

This DIIS seminar presents an anthropological and photographic account of the cross-Saharan route.

It explores the emotional dimension of undocumented migrant’s life worlds during the journey, discussing how the immediate drama of the actual crossing is mirrored in a profound psychological and symbolic journey, as a rite of transition.

Likewise, it discusses methodological and ethical dilemmas of photo documenting undocumented migration.

Christian Vium is an anthropologist and PhD candidate at University of Copenhagen with a project on water scarcity, vulnerability and adaptation in Mauritania. He is also an award-winning photographer and director and researcher on documentary films.

PROGRAMME

14.00-14.15
Introduction by Nauja Kleist, Project Senior Researcher, DIIS

14.15-15.00
Clandestine – Documenting Undocumented African Transit Migration by Christian Vium, PhD candidate, University of Copenhagen

15.00-15.15
Coffee Break

15.15-16.00
Open Discussion

Chair: Nauja Kleist, Project Senior Researcher, DIIS

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form on http://www.diis.dk/sw101695.asp

And do so no later than Monday, 29 November 2010 at 12.00 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.

Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), The Conference Section, Strandgade 56, 1401 Kbn K, tlf. 32 69 87 51, e-mail: [email protected] og web: www.diis.dk